{"article":{"id":1852,"title":"Sally, Ex-Catholic, Philippines","slug":"sally-ex-catholic-philippines","word":"\/uploads\/articles\/Sally, Ex-Catholic, Philippines.docx","pdf":"\/uploads\/articles\/Sally, Ex-Catholic, Philippines.pdf","mime_type":null,"type":"node","path":"\/nodes\/view\/type:article\/slug:sally-ex-catholic-philippines","hint":"","body":"

Sally, Ex-Catholic, Philippines<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n

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I was brought up in a devout Catholic family and raised with Catholic values and traditions.  At fifteen, I entered the monastery.  While inside the monastery, I was happy because I could perform my duties as a nun and the people around me including my family were also pleased with me.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Until such time when I began to ask myself every night, “What am I doing here inside the monastery?“ I stayed in our small and humble chapel and started to ask God if he is really listening to me, because I had learned in our catechism that god is present in the blessed sacrament.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Many question were lingering my mid.  Doubts were cropping up particularly concerning the reality of Jesus Christ.  However, I did not have the courage to ask the priest nor my co-nuns who were with me that time.  I was so afraid that they might take it against me.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 So I let all doubts linger.  I even allowed myself to profess my first temporary vows.  I kept renewing it every year for TEN YEARS! Until such time I could not take it anymore; my perpetual vows of chastity and poverty; professing the Jesus Christ as my God; and that he is Lord and son of God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

I started to pray harder, asking God for guidance and to show me the right path.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

If I were to leave the monastery, it would bring great pain to my mother! My father actually didn’t mind if I leave the church and have my own family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 But I did not want to hurt my family, particularly my mother, my two brothers who are both priests, and my four sisters who happen to be all nuns!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Above all, I do not want to be a hypocrite and pretend that I am happy practicing something which is against my underlying principle.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 So I did not submit my application letter of perpetual profession.  I talked to my superior general, informing her that I am leaving the monastery.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Without informing my family, I left to find a work to survive.  After awhile I met a close friend of mine who is a priest and offered me to work with him in his church in Marawi City, as a parish coordinator.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Incidentally, my family heard the news that I left the church, and it was very hard for them to accept the fact.  But they were hoping that one day I might come bask to serve the church.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 While working as parish coordinator, the priest who hired me was not treating me so well.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He did not even pay me salary and he tried to sexually abuse me.  But, thank God, he was not successful with his evil intentions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Again I started to pray asking God to be with me and to make me happy, because I have never been at peace with my life.  My heart and mind were miserable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 A New Day<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

 On June 17, 2001, early morning, I heard a beautiful sound but I did not understand what it was.  I thought it was coming from the mosque nearby.  As soon as I heard the sound, I felt like I was dipped in refreshing water.  I cannot explain the feeling.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 That day I felt happiness entering my heart, even though I did not understand what I heard.  After hearing this amazing sound, I said to myself these few words, “There is a new day, there is new beginning.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 I woke up that morning asking what the sound was and they told me it was call for prayers of the Muslims.  Strange! I came to this city (Marawi) on the first week of May 2001, but I could hardly hear the sound until one morning of June 2001.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 That day I decided to find out about Islam and the Muslims.  I started to research through reading books until I finally left my work.  I went back to my family in Pampanga and found out that my father had already passed away.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 I was depressed for a while, but I did not stop researching Islam.  So I went back to Manila hoping to find someone to explain to me about Islam.  In my heart, I was ready to embrace Islam but I did not know how!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 I did not give up, I search on internet.  I went to the extent of joining chatting rooms, hoping to find a Muslim who can enlighten me about Islam.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 On June 16, 2004, I met the brother in Manila.  He started to explain about Islam.  On the day, I declared;<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 La ilaha illalah muhammadur rasulullah wa ‘isa ibnu maryam abdullahi wa rasuli<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>(There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, Muhammad is the messenger and that Jesus son of Mary, is a slave and messenger of Allah.)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n

That fateful day, I finally found a new home, the home of Islam: a home where you can find love, happiness and joy.  Now I can smile, a smile that comes from my heart.  On that day, I slept very well.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Every time I pray, I cry, not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy.  A joy which money cannot buy.  It is indescribable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 Now I remember when I had a conversation with my grandfather who is aCatholic priest ( my mother’s uncle) He said; “If you want to change your religion, go back to Islam!” God is Great!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\r\n

May Allah open the hearts of my family to the light of Islam, and may he protect us from Satan.  Amen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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O brother and sister Muslims! Include me in your prayers!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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